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Signing Day 2016: Lights ink 33 future gridders

MSU-Northern recruiting class will continue to grow this winter

The Montana State University-Northern Lights went through a difficult rebuilding season last fall. But, when National Signing Day rolled around, it became clear the Lights aren’t looking back.

On Wednesday, Northern head coach Aaron Christensen announced the addition of 33 new signees in Northern’s 2016 recruiting class, the second under Christensen.

The class is composed of seven junior college transfers and 26 high school seniors. Included in the group of high school signees are 11 players from Montana, as well as two Hi-Line standouts in Chinook wide receiver Kenny Pruttis, who was a Class C All-State selection for the state champion Sugarbeeters, as well as North Star defensive back Payton Peterson, who was a two-time, two-way All-Conference selection for the Six-Man Knights.

In addition to Pruttis and Peterson, the Northern staff added several key players from around the state, including Butte High quarterback Dylan Cook (6-6, 250). Cook was injured for much of the 2015 season, but is an exceptional talent and physical specimen. He’s also the younger brother of former Butte star Dallas Cook, who set multiple Class AA passing records.

Out of the Class AA ranks, the Lights also inked Glacier High offensive lineman Roger Guillroy (5-10, 270), Flathead High offensive lineman Duntreal Ya-Fong Moss Jr. (6-5, 245), Great Falls High offensive lineman Brandon Moes (6-0, 215), and a pair of standouts from Missoula Hellgate in defensive tackle Josh Jacobson (6-3, 280) and tight end/linebacker Bob Schenk.

Northern signed three players from the Class B ranks as well in Baker wide receiver Jordan Baxter (6-0, 175), a Class B All-State selection, as well as WR Luke Rech (6-2, 175) of Big Timer, an All-Conference performer who’s older brother, K.J., plays on Northern’s men’s basketball team. Completing the list of Montana signees Wednesday was All-State Eureka offensive lineman Gerald Branscome (6-2, 280).

The Lights also did well recruiting out-of-state talent, especially in the state of Washington. Adrian Allen (QB/WR, 6-4, 215), Tanner Colburn (LB, 5-11, 205), Kyle Couts (WR/DB, 5-9, 170), Sidaris Fletcher (RB, 5-10, 200), Josh Kinchen (DB, 6-1, 170), Dylan Rychtarik (WR, 5-7 160), Kingsten Sua (FB, 5-11, 210), Caymus Thomas (WR, 5-10, 165), Keenan Wade-Herrera (RB, 5-10, 210) and Kitrell Willingham (TE, 6-2, 205) are all coming to Havre from high school programs in Washington.

MSU-N also added several Oregon prep products, including Hayden Simon (5-11, 205), Aaron Dolfay (LB, 6-0, 240) and Bryce Bumgardner (WR, 6-1, 175). Offensive lineman Jay Hembree (6-1, 260) from Camarillo, California, rounds out the high school signees.

“I’m really pleased with what we were able to sign as far as high school guys go,” Christensen said. “We have a good mix of kids from different states, including Montana. We have a lot of guys coming in from a lot of different places.

“For us, the big thing about the high school guys is we want to get guys who are going to be talented football players,” he continued. “But we also want to find guys with the right attitude on and off the field and guys that want to be here. And I think we’ve accomplished that with this group.”

Of course, for depth and at several key positions, the Lights were also looking for immediate help for next season, and they got what they needed in several junior college transfers.

With both Zach McKinley and Mario Gobbatto heading into their senior season, Northern added running back Trey Blanchard (5-10, 200) from Central Lakes College in Minnesota, while wide receivers Beau Wilhelm (6-0, 200) from Central Lakes and Donovan Garner (5-8, 175) from College of Siskiyous in California should come in and compete right away. On the offensive line, another area of need, the Lights inked Elijah Cox (6-5, 320) from Glendale Community College. MSU-N also brought in Jase Ryals, a 6-0, 170-pound quarterback from prestigious Feather River CC in California.

In the secondary, Northern added Khayree Johnson (6-4, 230) of College of the Redwoods in California and Dujuwan Jones (6-1, 190) from East Los Angeles College.

“There were a couple of positions we were pretty thin at at the end of last year,” Christensen said. “So we went out and found some guys who we were looking to come in and compete for sports right away. All of those guys are already here and will be in spring ball. And they’re already doing really well.”

And though signing day brought 33 new additions to the Northern roster, recruiting is also a never-ending process, and Christensen said, while he’s happy with the class he announced Wednesday, he’ll continue to look to fill spots as the winter goes along.

“So far so good. I’m really happy with how this group has come together so far,” he said. “We’ve signed a lot of guys who are talented football players, but also good students and guys with the right attitude.

“We’ll continue recruiting,” he continued. “We’ve got more kids coming in on visits over the next couple of weeks, and we’ll be heading down to California to do some more recruiting after that.”

 

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